Kenya Vs Tanzania: Defending Champions Eye Perfect Start In CECAFA

December 8, 2019
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Sunday, December 7
*Zanzibar Vs Sudan – 1:30PM
*Kenya Vs Tanzania – 4PM

Kenya Harambee Stars will seek to get their Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup title defence on a good note when they face rivals Tanzania Kilimanjaro Boys on Sunday in a group B match at StarTimes stadium, Lugogo.

Kenya beat Zanzibar 5-4 on penalties to win the title in 2017 at the Kenyatta Stadium and will go all out to defend their crown.

The Harambee Stars who had a one week residential training at Utalii grounds are in group B alongside Tanzania, Sudan and Zanzibar with the top two reaching the semis.

Coach Kimanzi says that “we are looking forward to retaining the trophy we won in the 2017” but he has to make his intentions known on the pitch.

Kenya national football team setting off. Courtesy photo.

Speaking with Daily Nation (Kenya), the coach revealed:

“Our target is very clear – we are the reigning champions and have to defend the title. Other than that, we have to do better than the squad that won the title last time and that only means winning the title in style by doing better in every single game.

“My focus therefore really is in the tournament as a whole even as we start against Tanzania, we have to think and plan for the next matches.”

The Kilimanjaro Boys on the other hand, last won theCECAFA cup in 2010 when they edged visitors Ivory Coast 1-0 and coach Juma Mguda will be hoping that his side can exorcise the 2010 demons.

Kenya Squad:

Goalkeepers
Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Samuel Odhiambo (Western Stima)

Defenders
Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia), Daniel Sakari (Kariobangi Sharks), Andrew Juma (Mathare United), David Owino (Mathare United), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks)

Midﬁelders
Anthony Wambani (Vasalunds IF), Roy Okal (Mathare United), Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia), Musa Masika (Wazito), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari), Moses Mudavadi (Kakamega Homeboyz), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia), Whyvone Isuza (AFC Leopards), Kevin Kimani (Mathare United), Cliffton Miheso (Gor Mahia)

Forwards
Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi Stars), Timothy Otieno (Tusker)

Tanzania Squad

Goalkeepers: Aishi Manula (Simba SC), Matecha Mnata (Yanga SC) and David Kisu (Gor Mahia/Kenya)

Defenders: Juma Abdul (Yanga), Nickson Kibabage (Difaa Hassan El –Jadid/Morocco), Mwaita Gereza (Kagera Sugar), Kelvin Yondani (Yanga SC), Bakari Mwamnyeto (Coastal Union), Mohamed Hussein (Simba SC), Gardiel Michael (Simba SC)

Midfielders: Zawadi Mauya (Kagera Sugar), Jonas Mkude (Simba SC), Muzamil Yassin (Simba SC), Hassan Dilunga (Simba SC), Cleophace Mkandala (Tanzania Prisons), Barak Majogoro (Polisi, Tanzania)

Forwards: Paul Nonga (Lipuli FC), Miraji Athuman ‘Madenge’ (Simba SC), Ditram Ntchimbi (Polisi Tanzania), Eliuther Mpepo (Buildcon/Zambia), Lucas Kikoti (Namungo FC), Rashid Chambo (IK Frej Taby)